The Skokie Fire Department is currently running this 2000 Pierce Saber pumper as Engine 18 while the regular apparatus undergoes repair and refurbishment. This unit, originally from Clayton, NC is a service loaner.
(Skokie Engine 18R – 2000 Pierce Saber 1250/500 so 11692 X-Clayton, NC)
Larry Shapiro photo
#1 by harry on October 30, 2019 - 10:22 PM
just fyi truck 18 has been in town all along it has been behind public for as long as it has been oos but it is going to pierce for a full rehab the as for new engines or trucks nothing planned as of now I was told this by Skokie fleet services
#2 by Bill Post on October 23, 2019 - 4:00 PM
Jim thanks for the information. There is a revised version of the Skokie Strategic Plan on the village website that lists the 2001 Pierce ladder as project 254. There is no estimated refurbishment price listed for any year unlike last year when it was project 258.
Project 256 is for the 1995 reserve tower ladder and in the 2020 column there is an estimated price of $1,393,140 which is close to the price a of new tower ladder. Based on the latest revision it looks like they want to replace it. Since reserve rigs normally get replaced when new rigs are bought, it leads me to believe that the quoted estimate is more likely to be applied to purchasing a new ladder for Truck 18 or perhaps a tower ladder.
In last year’s plan, which you referenced, there is an estimated $475,000 to refurbish Truck 18 listed under the year 2018. Item 260 had $1,393.000 to replace the reserve tower ladder in 2019. In the revised version it has that price listed for 2020.
#3 by Jim on October 23, 2019 - 11:36 AM
Bill Post,
Page 89 project 258
#4 by Marty Coyne on October 23, 2019 - 9:39 AM
I missed the post showing they bought the 96′ Wilmette engine. Sorry
#5 by Marty Coyne on October 23, 2019 - 8:27 AM
Skokie E-18 had a full restoration done by Kards Inc a couple if years ago. The entire body was fully refurbished and all corrosion and issues fixed. AFAIK they did not do the frame or rails. Rusted frame/rails is a long standing Pierce problem.
Where did you see they bought an old Wilmette engine? If so, why when this one was given to them as a loaner? They have the 97′ Pierce ex E-17 as a spare. They only run 3 engines. With one out and a loaner they wouldn’t even be using the spare they have. Why would they buy another?
#6 by Bill Post on October 23, 2019 - 3:25 AM
You are correct Harry. It appears they are trying to base the recommended retirement age at a 25 year service life. In 2020 the spare 1995 tower ladder will be 25 years old however just because they are recommending that it gets retired then doesn’t mean it will happen. The reserve rigs only get retired when there is a newer one to replace it. As of now I don’t see Truck 18’s regular rig being replaced, but considering that it has been out of service for several months, who knows?
#7 by harry on October 22, 2019 - 11:44 PM
if they replace the 1995 next year that would be about 3 years earier that there last ladder which was the 1988 arrow that was the reserve intill 2016
#8 by Bill Post on October 22, 2019 - 9:07 PM
Jim the only thing I found in the strategic plan regarding a truck company is the retirement or the replacement of the 1995 Pierce tower ladder in 2020. That happens to be the current reserve truck and has been running as Truck 18 as of late until they get their 2001 Pierce ladder back.
#9 by Jim on October 22, 2019 - 11:14 AM
Skokie has their strategic plan online with their vehicle replacement plan included. Looks like Truck 18 was scheduled for refurbishment last year but maybe it was delayed a year. You can probably look in the budget for this year.
#10 by CrabbyMilton on October 22, 2019 - 5:52 AM
Amazing that PIERCE still uses that same cab design after all these years. Still holds up and looks good.
#11 by Bill Post on October 21, 2019 - 9:20 PM
Well since no one has mentioned it, Skokie is currently running with two tower ladders by default as Truck 18 has been out of service for repairs. Their current spare truck is Tower Ladder 16’s old rig.
I don’t know if Truck 18 is being refurbished like Engine 18 was a few years ago however it is a cause for concern considering that Truck 18’s regular straight stick hasn’t been around in months. It was just a few years ago that Engine 18’s rig was refurbished unless it was only repainted. Skokie has been buying Pierce products since the late 80’s and early 90’s after Peter Pirsch went out of business. They were Skokie’s previous apparatus supplier. One of the few exceptions is Skokie’s reserve squad which is a Spartan/Luverne. Whether Skokie starts purchasing rigs from companies other then Pierce remains to be seen.
Skokie generally replaces frontline apparatus after about 20 years. The next frontline rig that would be up for replacement should be their 2001 Pierce rear mount ladder that hasn’t been in service for months.
#12 by Mike C on October 21, 2019 - 5:52 PM
Skokie should start considering a more reputable brand of apparatus after all these corrosion issues.
#13 by Matt on October 21, 2019 - 5:18 PM
E18 and E16 were re-painted as was S18. S18, E18 and T18 are the rigs that require frame rail work. R17 and E17 look like they are doing fine. The town is very careful with the money and finances and the used equipment is to bide time while equipment is repaired and put back in service.
#14 by MABAS 21 on October 21, 2019 - 2:42 PM
Does anyone have any pics of the new Battalion 16 (black/red Expedition) or the repainted Ambulance 16?
#15 by Michael m on October 21, 2019 - 1:55 PM
Wow, three Pierces OOS. Obviously engine 18 is one of them. Are engine 16 and 17 the other two? How is the 2018 Dash CF that is Rescue 17 holding up?
#16 by harry on October 21, 2019 - 12:27 PM
rJ they have 3 pierces oos for rust corrision so they bought old Wilmette engine to help and also no I think they do have a good amount of money coming in
#17 by Rj on October 21, 2019 - 12:13 PM
Skokie doesn’t have a reserve engine they can run while theirs is refurbished? Why are they buying used apparatus? Village of Skokie not doing well financially?
#18 by MABAS 21 on October 21, 2019 - 6:46 AM
I thought Engine 18 was already refurbished? Also isn’t the former refubished Engine 17, now Engine 16R, still on department roster?
#19 by harry on October 20, 2019 - 9:49 PM
they bought wilmette old 1996 eone engine as well